We Are Young (enough to play teenagers)
Sam Evans (Chord Overstreet) returns to McKinley High and New Directions at Finn's urging just in time to compete in Sectionals—hosted by McKinley against stiff competition, which includes McKinley's Troubletones and the Unitards, fronted by Harmony (Lindsay Pearce). Quinn makes a pivotal decision, and Sebastian plans a second try for Blaine. Finn admits he is jealous of Blaine and they reconcile. Tina helps Mike and his father come to an agreement about Mike's college plans.
"Hold on to sixteen as long as you can."
Next Time: A long time ago, in a Christmas Episode far far away...
Songs:
- "Red Solo Cup" by Toby Keith, performed by Sam with New Directions
- "Buenos Aires" from Evita, performed by Harmony with the Unitards
- "Survivor/I Will Survive" by Destiny's Child and Gloria Gaynor, performed by the Troubletones
- "ABC" by The Jackson 5, performed by Tina, Kurt, Mike, and Quinn with New Directions
- "Control'' by Janet Jackson, performed by Quinn, Artie and Blaine with New Directions
- "Man in the Mirror" by Michael Jackson, performed by New Directions
- "We Are Young" by fun. feat. Janelle Monáe, performed by New Directions (inc. the Troubletones)
Tropes:
- Actor Allusion: Quinn's boyfriend (well, who is called that) being called "Magic Mike" because he was a teen stripper, Dianna Agron's then-boyfriend being the one who played the teen stripper in Magic Mike.
- Best Years of Your Life: The message is perhaps not that being an adult isn't as good as being a kid, but that you should make the most of being able to be young and your high school days.
- Foregone Conclusion: The Troubletones rejoining New Directions.
- Growing Up Sucks: Shelby telling how youth will just suddenly leave you.
- Ivy League for Everyone: Mike at Stanford and Quinn at Yale.
- Mr. Fanservice: Sam with a side of Blaine.
- Opening Narration/Spoken Word in Music: The intro to "Control" by Quinn.
